High and Tight Haircut

Classic High and Tight
High and Tight Mohawk
High and Tight With Pompadour
High and Tight With Quiff
High and Tight With Textured Top
High and Tight With Curly Top

High and Tight Haircut

The high and tight haircut is a military-inspired haircut for men with low shaved sides and longer hair at the top. It’s low maintenance and exudes a  clean, sophisticated outlook.

 

icon face_shapes_1
Ideal Face Shapes: Diamond, Round, Square, Heart, Oval, Rectangle
icon hair_types
Ideal Hair Types: All

Styling Tips

  • Don’t be afraid to use styling gel the right way to bring your hair together.
  • If you do decide to use a product, ensure to push your hair forward.
  • Feel free to pair this style with a neat fade or even a daring Mohawk.

23 Awesome High and Tight Hairstyles for Men

1. Classic High and Tight

no9a6ecd7fmzuyr
@mancaveutc

Now:

The classic high and tight haircut is an all-time favorite as it provides a clean, timeless look.

This haircut features tapered sides, including the back of the head, with a longer hair length on top.

Styling Tips:

  • Maintain the edges, and keep the hairline well groomed.
  • You can also experiment with adding a quiff to add more swagger to this hairstyle.

2. High and Tight Mohawk

3aeidus14hmzuyr
@mancaveutc

The high and tight mohawk is a bold deviation from the usual high and tight cut.

With this haircut, the hair at the center of the head is kept in a mohawk style while the sides of the hair are kept low.

To pull off this look:

Avoid shaving the sides too low if you have an oblong face, and add more volume at the top if you have a diamond-shaped face.

Styling Tips:

  • Use a product with a stronghold to keep the mohawk in place.
  • Comb your hair forward to keep the mohawk together.

3. High and Tight with Pompadour

7m0fqukq1imzuyr
@schorembarbier

Trust me:

The high and tight pompadour is an easy conversation starter. Not only does it depict boldness, but it also boosts your confidence.

Simply put:

The selling point of this hairstyle is its exaggerated length and volume.

What's more?

The high and tight pompadour is best suited for all face types except the oblong and diamond-shaped face.

Styling Tips:

  • Maintain a healthy scalp to accentuate the beauty of this hairstyle.
  • Use a short comb and medium-hold product to maintain the pompadour.
  • You can easily style the pompadour with a quick blow dry.

4. High and Tight with Quiff

2kkv7lkhlmzuyr
@schorembarbier

The quiff adds a mature, sophisticated transformation to the high and tight.

To secure the quiff:

Blow dry your hair before styling with a comb and some pomade.

Admittedly, the high and tight quiff requires more maintenance than the classic high and style.

However:

The results make the efforts worthwhile. This style requires a bit of swag, so healthy and straight hair is ideal for this cut.

Styling Tips:

  • To add a tousled, relaxed vibe, use a texturizing product to make the hair look soft and rich.
  • Pairing this cut with a beard takes your look from five to ten.
  • Lastly, you can use strong hold products sparingly to ensure the quiff remains in place.

5. High and Tight with Textured Top

fo3zwkk37lmzuyr
@mancaveutc

Look:

This style is perfect for curly hair as it makes it easier to achieve the desired fade texture for this cut.

I'd recommend a textured hairstyle with medium length at the top to pull off the textured high and tight.

Styling Tips:

  • Run your fingers through the hair while giving it a light blow dry.
  • Apply hair products on damp hair as opposed to dry hair.
  • Explore other methods of styling to discover what suits you best.

6. High and Tight with Curly Top

5izmb0om5mmzuyr
@mancaveutc

The curly top is quite similar to the textured top.

However:

The curly top has exaggerated curls at the top and short sides and back of the hair.

Plus, this hairstyle is perfect for those with triangular and diamond-shaped faces.

Styling Tips:

  • Allow the hair to settle into its pattern and avoid excessive manipulation.
  • Curly hair is naturally dry, so ensure your hair is well moisturized and conditioned.
  • Don't forget to pay timely visits to your barber for a retouch of your haircut.

7. High and Tight Skin Fade

zdvsy4yr3nmzuyr
@rpb_nq

The skin fade is another unique high and tight haircut.

Now:

The contrast between the skin cut at the back and the fade leading to the top creates a striking, appealing look.

However:

The skin fade is best executed with straight or wavy hair and is ideal for all face shapes except rectangular-shaped faces.

Styling Tips:

  • Apply products like pomade or gel sparingly.
  • Maintain a well-blended fade, as it is the key trademark of this hairstyle.
  • Keep the top portion of your hair relatively short to execute the perfect look.

8. Military High and Tight

9y11pxd81omzuyr
@catchafade__

Fact:

The military high and tight is arguably the most hassle-free form of the high and tight haircut.

It typically involves a quick shave of the entire head, excluding the front, which is kept very low.

Styling Tips:

  • Keep it simple—the hairstyle requires little to no maintenance.
  • Make regular trips to the barber shop to give it a good trim.
  • Keep your scalp healthy.

9. High and Tight Afro

65d72o1q3pmzuyr
@mancaveutc

Naturally:

The high and tight afro is designed for curly, kinky hair.

This hairstyle highlights the perfect blend between a low-back cut as it transcends into a full-blown afro at the top.

It is perfect for almost all face shapes.

Styling Tips:

  • Retain the natural texture of your curly hair.
  • Use a silk scarf or bonnet at night to retain the shape and moisture in the afro.
  • Always use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to keep your scalp healthy.

10. High and Tight for Receding Hairline

dhwfmcqr2qmzuyr
@mancaveutc

Admittedly:

The high and tight cut for receding hairlines is a creative way to transform your style and appearance.

Not only does this haircut make a receding hairline seem appealing, but it also requires minimal styling and is versatile.

Styling Tips:

  • Follow your hair's natural direction while styling.
  • Draw attention away from your receding hairline by getting regular trims.
  • Be confident—this helps you pull off any look.

11. High and Tight Haircut with Slicked Back

77p2s77hrmzuyr
@mens_hair_styles_

Look:

The high and tight slicked back is your go-to haircut for a sophisticated, refined look.

And that's not even the best part.

This haircut complements people with oval, rectangular, and heart-shaped faces.

Styling Tips:

  • Comb your hair out and back to get the hair in the appropriate position.
  • Always apply products to damp hair to achieve the best results.
  • Use a good hair gel to hold the slick in place.

12. High and Tight Buzz Cut

0t5nmjpk7rmzuyr
@rhoan_afroarts

As with others:

The high and tight buzz cut features a skin fade and a slightly longer length at the top.

Although this hairstyle complements various face types, there might be better options for those with rectangular-shaped faces.

Styling Tips:

  • Brush and comb out your hair regularly.
  • Avoid over-styling and embrace the simplicity and low maintenance of this haircut.
  • Moisturize your hair regularly to maintain its healthy appearance.

13. High and Tight with Side Part

vw00t0on1tmzuyr
@alan_beak

Now:

The high and tight side part is a classic haircut incorporating a side part for added flair.

Additionally:

This haircut suits all hair types and boosts the bearer's confidence.

Styling Tips:

  • Maintain a clean side part, as it is the major highlight of the hairstyle.
  • Use good holding products to keep the hair in place.

14. High and Tight with Comb Over

xtpn2iaj3umzuyr
@rhoan_afroarts

Get this:

If you're looking to add an extra touch of elegance to your regular high and tight, this hairstyle is for you!

Now:

The high and tight comb-over is a sleek haircut that features the top part of the hair combed over with a clean side part.

What else?

The trick to pulling off this look is maintaining the volume while combing the hair.

Styling Tips:

  • While your hair is damp, comb off the hair to a flattering angle of your face.
  • Use a good styling pomade/gel to hold the hair in place.
  • The high and tight comb-over can also be paired with a beard.

15. High and Tight No Fade

rdfeh5091vmzuyr
@mancaveutc

Now:

As its name suggests, this hairstyle does not feature a fade. Hence, there is no gradual decline from the front to the back of the head.

However:

The trademark high and tight characteristic of having longer hair at the top remains.

Styling Tips:

  • Maintain the same length of hair at the sides and back.
  • Consider keeping a beard to create a more masculine effect.
  • Retain the volume and texture at the top of your head.

16. High and Tight with Forward Sweep

1eqo2t2dwmzuyr
@mens_hair_styles_

Admittedly:

The forward-swept look is a vibrant, youthful hairstyle that works best with straight hair.

However:

This look can only be obtained by carefully sectioning parts of damp hair and combing it forward.

In essence:

The hair is almost sleeping and almost spiky, so the perfect balance in between. This hairstyle complements oval, rectangular, and heart-shaped faces.

Styling Tips:

  • For a forward sweep, lift and tousle damp hair to create a forward-sweeping effect.
  • Although the forward sweep is the star of this haircut, you can explore other more flattering angles.
  • Remember, you're better off styling your hair when it's damp, not soaking wet.

17. High and Tight Bald Fade

pbsrd0hr5wmzuyr
@mancaveutc

Now:

The high and tight bald fade is versatile as it fits casual and professional settings.

However:

The high and tight bald fade is high maintenance. I wouldn't recommend that those with sensitive scalps and skin irritations try this haircut, as it involves a lot of hair manipulation.

Styling Tips:

  • Regularly wash and condition your hair and scalp.
  • If possible, visit your barber every week to maintain the bald fade.
  • Most importantly, be confident and always wear a smile.

19. High and Tight Buzz Crew

fi3x111x4xmzuyr
@nickbarford

Note this:

The buzz crew is a unique haircut between the buzz cut and the crew cut.

Now:

The main characteristic of the buzz crew is that it does not have as much fringe as a crew cut, and it has a heavily textured top.

Styling Tips:

  • A well-groomed beard would complement the high and tight buzz crew.
  • Since a greater part of the scalp is exposed, you'd want to put on a hat or other headgear to protect your head in extreme heat.
  • Maintain the clean edges of this cut for a polished look.

20. High and Tight with Undercut

2xf3d17f3ymzuyr
@alan_beak

Fact:

The undercut is a close second to the bald fade if you're looking to make a statement with your haircut.

Although there is a considerable difference in the lengths of the side and top of the hair, the sides are not cut as low as with other hairstyles.

Styling Tips:

  • Lightly comb or run your hands through the haircut to provide texture.
  • You can also add a textured top to the high and tight undercut.
  • Maintain the undercut style by keeping the top part longer than the sides.

21. High and Tight with a Flat Top

gn1283mg3zmzuyr
@rhoan_afroarts

Now:

The flat top is an eccentric, creative style of wearing a high and tight haircut.

In this cut:

The top is left far longer than the sides, while the sides are a bald fade.

This creates a sharp contrast between the flat top and the sides and comes together to create the flat top look.

Styling Tips:

  • Maintain a healthy scalp by washing and moisturizing your hair regularly.
  • Use hair gel sparingly to keep the top in place.
  • Maintain the sharp ends of the flat top, as this is the beauty of the flat top cut.

22. High and Tight Caesar Cut

0ybtba1p20nzuyr
@rpb_nq

Now:

The high and tight Caesar cut combines the classic Caesar cut and the high and tight cut. It is characterized by a textured fringe and is best suited for those with straight hair.

Additionally:

This hairstyle is highly versatile and works with almost any face type.

Styling Tips:

  • Brush and blow dry the fringe to maintain the required volume
  • Use hair spray to give it that extra shine.

23. High and Tight with a Tapered Top

v90dbecf1nzuyr
@schorembarbier

Now:

The high and tight tapered top features a smooth, gradual transition of the hair on top into a taper.

This tapered haircut is suitable for straight, wavy, and curly hair types.

Styling Tips:

  • Keep the sides and back of the hair well-trimmed.
  • Maintain the length of the gradual taper across the top by trimming it regularly.
  • Apply products to keep your scalp clean and healthy.

Conclusion

Bottom line:

While the high and tight haircut is generally popular, there are numerous ways to style, combine, and explore this haircut.

So:

Regardless of your face shape, hair type, or preferred style, there's a high and tight haircut out there that's just right for you.

One more thing:

What did you think about this post? Did we omit any of your favorite haircuts? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section!

Frequently Asked Questions

Simply tell your barber you'd like a high and tight haircut. However, if you have a more specific variation of the high and tight in mind, you can show your barber a picture of the haircut for reference.
Anyone can wear a high and tight haircut. It is not reserved for a specific group of people.
To create the high and tight haircut, you'll need a combination of specific clipper guards. For the sides, you should use a #0 or #1. Then, the top should be done using a #2, #3, #4, or even a scissor trim—as this should be the longer side.
Yes! The high and tight is a type of buzz cut distinguished from others by the short back and sides of the haircut.

More from Mike Medders

Blog
How to Talk to Barbers

How to Talk to Barbers Like a Pro: Insights from Expert Barbers

Mike Medders
Written by Mike Medders

Trust me, I've been on both sides of the chair. I can't count the number of times a client has sat down and struggled…

Read more
Blog Hair Hairstyles
Slick Back Haircut

Slick Back Haircut

Mike Medders
Written by Mike Medders

Barber Spotlight: Slick Back Haircut Transformation by Nat The slick back haircut is a timeless classic, combining…

Read more

Comments

Newest articles

How Often Should You Go to the Barber? Expert Advice & Tips

Ever wondered how often you should be visiting the barber? Well, you're not alone. It's a question that's crossed the…

Building Barber Clientele: A Comprehensive Guide for Success

In the challenging world of barbering, it's not just about mastering the latest trends and techniques. The real game…

How to Ask for a Fade Haircut According to Barber Sunny

Ever wondered how to walk into your barber shop and confidently ask for the perfect fade haircut? Well, you're in the…

Join 8,982 users to get special deals on barbers and hairstylist equipment EVERY month

  • Special deals
  • Limited-time discounts
  • Discount coupons
  • Prize-Winnning contests

Privacy Policy